HC Deb 18 October 1966 vol 734 cc12-3
14. Mr. David Price

asked the Minister of Technology whether, in the light of paragraph 7 of the 1965–66 Annual Report of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, he will make a statement on the research and reactor development programmes of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority from five to ten years hence.

Mr. Benn

The Chairman of the Authority and I have begun discussions on the future civil R. & D. programme in the light of the Authority's review.

This must also be seen in conjunction with other Government supported R. & D. for which I am responsible. It will be some time before I shall be able to make a statement.

Mr. Price

Will the right hon. Gentleman, during his deliberations, consult the nuclear consortia and the reactor division and also look at the possibilities which arise of closer collaboration between the reactor division, separate from the A.E.A., with the nuclear consortia?

Mr. Benn

That raises a separate but very interesting point. In fact, on this point, one is looking at the Authority's own programme, but I shall certainly bear in mind everything that the hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the A.E.A. has predicted a reduction in the cost of power generated by the A.G.R. of 20 per cent. over the lifetime of the second nuclear power programme? Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to publish the technical appraisals of the next generation of A.G.R.s for comparison with the American boiling water reactors to show that we are still superior to them, as we were at the time when the order for the Dungeness B was placed?

Mr. Benn

The hon. Gentleman has asked a separate question, but a very helpful one, and I shall look into it.